A CLERGYMAN who cleared up rubbish from public woodlands was told off by a council for removing waste that was not on his property. The Rev Dale Barton was further angered after Blackburn with Darwen Council refused to take the dozen sacks of litter
A FORMER Darwen mayor, who rated the role as his finest achievement, has died aged 88. Conservative Jim Swanton, who was mayor in 1975/76, collapsed at Birch Hall Nursing Home, Darwen, on Tuesday of a heart attack and died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital
PENDLE residents are set to see their council tax bills go up by nearly five per cent - the maximum limit set by the Government. Last year Pendle Council froze council tax rises, but the authority now wants to increase the levy by 4.95 per cent. However
FORMER governors have called for council chiefs to be stripped of their power to govern nurseries in Black-burn and Darwen. The ex-board of governors at a Little Harwood nursery have accused Blackburn with Darwen Council of "breaking promises" since
ONE in three taxis in Rossendale have been found guilty of breaching their licensing conditions. During a spot check a total of 26 vehicles were stopped during a joint enforcement exercise carried out between the police and Rossendale Council's licensing
PEOPLE in Pendle are invited to enjoy an evening of good food and fashion which will help raise money for a local charity. The event is part of Fairtrade Fortnight, and will be held at St Bartholomew's Church, Colne, on Thursday, March 1, from 7pm to
A FORMER joiner hit an officer when police were called to a commotion he started at a house in Colne. Burnley Magistrates heard how Carl Ibbitson, 32, had been angry and upset when his partner of 10 and a half years went into the bathroom with another
PAUL Warhurst is enjoying playing for his 16th club. And the 37-year-old former Blackburn Rovers star, who signed for Barnet in March last year, is showing no signs of hanging up his football boots just yet. In a career that has spanned three decades
SHOPPERS at a Blackburn supermarket faced lengthy queues and were left frustrated by a new car park traffic layout. And now some regulars have vowed to take their custom elsewhere until a better system, or the original one, is implemented. Customers
PLANS for a 36-bedroom hotel at a main gateway into Burnley have been submitted to the council. East Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites wants to improve and extend the Derby Hotel, Gannow Top, plans which could create up to 30 jobs. The proposal was
By Norman Coombes. I can't help but be kind to Jemima She's the girl of my dreams don't you see, I'm enthralled and adore sweet Jemima For I love a nice pudding for tea. Dear Jemima is a wizard at puddings And the queen of the kitchen is she
TWIN teenage brothers who have honed their skiing skills at Rossendale's dry ski slope have been picked to train for Britain. Luke and William Grummet, 13, regularly travel from their home in Wilmslow to Rawtenstall as members of the Ski Art Performance
PUPILS have left their legacy at three of Accrington's latest redevelopment projects by burying time capsules underneath the buildings. The time capsule project has seen children from Woodnook, Benjamin Hargreaves and Hyndburn Park Primary schools, selecting
A FATHER of two attacked his terrified wife after he had thrown her out and she had gone to stay with his parents, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Iqbal Hussain, 27, kicked and pushed the victim, pulled her by the hair and then punched
A 44-YEAR-OLD Great Harwood man struggling to cope with marriage difficulties hanged himself from the four-poster bed at the matrimonial home. An inquest heard that Mark Newman's estranged wife made the discovery when she returned to the house because
VISITORS to the Valley can now get better information about what to do and see thanks to a new high-tech information display. The "info-pod" is located inside the station office of East Lancashire Railway (ELR) in Rawtenstall, and links to Rossendale's
A RARE Victorian clock looks set be returned to its former glory in Padiham. The clock, one of only two of its kind in the world, could soon re-take its pride of place in the town after years of lying in pieces in a town hall storeroom. Elizabeth Bolton
LAND next to a Rossendale primary school has been cleaned up after concerns were raised that rats might become a problem. Two hit teams' from Rossendale Council spent a day cleaning up the land between St John and St Michael Primary School, and the houses
A 19th CENTURY Merseyside stately home could be partially rebuilt in a Ribble Valley village if plans are approved. Ribble Valley Council has received a planning application that would see Denisfield House, Rimington Lane, Rimington, demolished and a
A YOUNG mum whose fiance fell to his death from a London hotel room today revealed she would lay him to rest on St Valentine's Day because he was the man who captured her heart. "I've lost the love of my life." said Dawn Huggard about her fiance Victor
TWO police officers have been disciplined after a patrol car was used as a "substitute taxi" by colleagues on a night out. The incident happened after a leaving party for two road traffic sergeants, held at the BAE Systems Canberra Club, Samlesbury.
AEROSPACE giant BAE Systems has revealed it "continues to reject allegations being made against it" after the firm came under fresh scrutiny for its overseas dealings. The government's solicitor general has publicly outlined a probe currently looking
A TEENAGER whose father died of cancer ten years ago is putting on her dancing shoes to raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice. Danielle Oddie from Beardwood, Blackburn, was nine when her father Graham died from skin cancer and is taking part in
AROUND £30,000 will be spent on preventing accidents caused by falling headstones at Accrington's cemetery and reducing the risks of Legionella, the germ that causes Legionnaire's disease, at public buildings. Councillors will be taught how to use email
RESIDENTS across Hyndburn are facing a council tax rise of more than £45 a year - with the extra money being spent on public safety and flowers. Budget proposals also recommend that the cash be spent on providing public transport for the elderly, improving
DETECTIVES are still hunting a group of people who stole a taxi at knifepoint. Shakeel Mirza, 37, of MM Taxis, St James' Street, Burnley, was threatened by two men brandishing knives when he was driving the men and two women to Huncoat. The incident
ROLLS-ROYCE, which has a factory employing a thousand people in Barnoldswick, has revealed it has had a record order book of £26.1billion over the last financial year. The firm has posted its preliminary financial results for 2006, which also show
DINERS at a Blackburn cafe helped raise enough money to buy 16 toys for a local charity in one month. Richmonds Brasserie, Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, took part in the Table Card campaign and the toys will be donated to Blackburn with Darwen Women's
THE public inquiry into Ribble Valley Council's refusal to give planning permission for a Homebase store in Clitheroe ended yesterday. Citypark Projects Ltd, who are behind the proposed development on the junction of Wilkin Bridge and Highfield Road,
Photo taken from the bridge at the Guide junction, early morning before Christmas. Jeff Kay.
Taken through my bedroom window when I spotted a rainbow forming right next to India Mill chimney in Darwen just before Christmas. Geoff Ormerod.
Taken on February 3 2007. The location is the River Ribble at Ribchester. Steven Bennett.
A shot of the Dinckley Suspension Bridge accross the River Ribble near Ribchester (It was built in 1951 to replace a ferry service that I believe used to exist here). I think this shot manages to capture the symmetry of the bridge against the deep blue
EAST Rural ward is blue' again after Independent councillor Julie Slater agreed to rejoin the Conservative Party. She was elected to the seat in 2006 after the death of her father-in-law Fred Slater who had served as a Conservative councillor. Coun
I went out on Sunday afternoon to photograph the days sunset and stopped off at the Willows pub, at Guide, and took this shot overlooking the reservoir. Carl Dewhurst.
Taken in the early hours of this morning, with freezing cold hands because of the weather. Nathan Haworth.
I WAS gutted to hear that Matt Derbyshire got injured in last week's victory over Sheffield United. Having made the breakthrough into the first team, where he scored five goals in seven appearances to earn a first call-up to the England Under 21 side
A BURGLAR whose haul included a credit card was caught on CCTV when he tried to use it to obtain cash from a machine, Blackburn magistrates heard. Paul James Gilpin was arrested and went on to admit another nine house burglaries which he had committed
ALAN Stubbs is confident Everton can turn the tables on Blackburn Rovers when Mark Hughes' side return to Goodison this weekend. When the sides met last month, in the FA Cup third round, Blackburn ran out 4-1 winners. It was Everton's heaviest defeat
BLACKBURN manager Mark Hughes hopes David Bentley can inspire another Rolls Royce performance at Goodison Park tomorrow. The in-form midfielder was instrumental in destroying Everton when Rovers cruised to a 4-1 victory in the third round of the FA Cup
A DERELICT warehouse has been put up for auction as part of the redevelopment of the gateway to Hyndburn.' The Grade II listed Hargreaves Warehouse in Canal Wharf Works, Church, has been valued at £150,000. The 19th century four-storey stone building
AN "insecure" man, said to think it was acceptable to slap women, will be getting some guidance from the probation service. Paul Higson, 46, attacked his partner, who claimed she had previously been assaulted by him, Burnley magistrates were told. Higson
Paul Collingwood's second consecutive hundred led England to victory over Australia in the first Commonwealth Bank Series final. The 30-year-old hit an unbeaten 120, his highest score in one-day internationals, to guide his side to a four-wicket win
PEOPLE affected by cancer have spoken of their support for a nursing charity's fundraising campaign. They have recorded their stories of how Macmillan Cancer Support helped themselves and their loved ones. East Lancashire residents are being urged
AN international drugs dealer from Darwen has been ordered to hand over almost half a million pounds under the Proceeds of Crime legislation. Gerald Deaffern, was jailed for 25 years in December, 2004, after being convicted of two charges of conspiracy
STEVE Cotterill has urged the people of the town to get behind their team as they look to reverse their slide down the Championship table. The Clarets have gone 11 games without a win, which has seen them slump from fourth to 15th in the table. And
A RUGBY mad East Lancashire youngster is to lead the England squad out onto the field at Twickenham tomorrow. James Bancroft, 11, will step onto the hallowed turf for the Six Nations tie against Italy. James, a Year 7 pupil at St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst
DAVID Dunn is poised for a leading role at Everton tomorrow following the news that Morten Gamst Pedersen has been ruled out for a fortnight with a hamstring injury. The former Birmingham midfielder, who made a telling contribution as a second half substitute
A MIDWIFE on call had medical equipment including drugs stolen from her car. A thief stole the goods which included an oxygen cylinder, baby deliver equipment, weighing scales and a stethoscope, worth a total of £750, from a grey Vauxhall Astra in Cog
A FATHER of two smashed up his former partner's car while she and her mother were in it and then drove off with their son, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how Craig Oldfield's ex, Donna Murgatroyd, had been called to her home by a neighbour
As I asked What part of disgusting do you not understand?', this guy looked as me as if I was speaking the native language of Malawi. He then shrugged his shoulders and walked off. There is an air of uncleaniness about and I'm not talking about the
RE the 20 per cent increase in hospital parking charges (LT, February 3), I think this is the first of many parking increases that the bosses will have to make, so they can help pay for this hospital etc. I agree with Mr J Amos and Vicky Shepheard that
FOLLOWING the report by David Bartlett (LT, Feb 3) regarding the council cuts in help and social care currently given over to our disabled and elderly community, the newspaper invites suggestions from readers on "where the council should make cuts?"
THE crisis of trust engulfing the political class is now so great that it seems to have penetrated even the consciousness of those who occupy the highest levels of the governing elites. My question to them is this: where have you been for the last 20
THE expected flurry of snow failed to fall in East Lancashire yesterday - but that didn't stop people preparing for a white out. And precautionary gritting was carried out last night on hundreds of miles of roads after Met Office reports said the bad
STEVE Cotterill has spoken of his delight at having Andy Gray back in the first team fold. The Scotland international made his long-awaited return in the 3-1 loss at QPR on Saturday after over two months on the sidelines with a broken metatarsal.
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has revealed that midfielder Rommy Boco is still a few weeks away from being back to his best. The Benin international starred in his side's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Senegal on Wednesday night. It was while
PEOPLE in the Ribble Valley are being given a chance to view the area's past during a public screening in Clitheroe on April 15. Part of the North West Film Archive, the event will showcase parades in Clitheroe and Whalley to celebrate Whitsuntide,
YORKSHIRE-bound Frank Sinclair has thanked Clarets fans as he bade farewell to Turf Moor. The former 35-year-old Chelsea and Leicester City defender made a loan move, with a view to a permanent deal, to Huddersfield yesterday after over 100 appearances
THE size of the portions are never a true guide to quality but when the two combine, you're on to a real winner. Clearly the chef at the New Welcome believes in feeding his customers as our plates were groaning. I'd gone for my favourite crispy beef
PENSIONER Steve Simpson has become a 70s singing sensation in 2007! The Darwen vocalist has marked entering his 72nd year by recording his debut CD - and raised £500 for charity. The idea for a charity CD came when Mr Simpson finally gave into the nagging
EAST Lancashire's first professional opera company, Heritage Opera, is to tour its production of Puccini's La Bohème around the region's historic houses. La Bohème will be the company's third production since it began last year. One of the most famous
X Factor star Ben Mills has announced he's coming to Blackburn for a gig on November 16. Despite not winning, Ben was snapped up by record label Sony BMG, alongside the winner Leona. Ben, who was compared to the young Joe Cocker by judge Simon Cowell
RESIDENTS in Ramsbottom are to be trained to use speed cameras as part of a new drive to catch speeding drivers. The campaign, supported by Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Area Board, Greater Manchester Police, and Burysafe, will be launched on
X Factor runner-up Ray Quinn has announced he's coming to Blackburn for a gig on October 9. Despite coming second, Ray was snapped up by record label Sony BMG, alongside the winner Leona. Ray originally found fame when he played bullied schoolboy Anthony
AN OVERTURNED van caused one lane of a busy by-pass to be closed during rush hour traffic. The incident happened on the Edenfield by-pass southbound on the M66 yesterday at around 5pm. Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the scene close
Construction companies have been warned of their responsibilities while employing work experience staff after a boy fell three metres from scaffolding. Wigan construction company William Hargreaves Ltd was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,774 costs
A STRANGE phenomenon has occurred across the land - teenage boys are starting to become interested in science. It's not because of changes to the National Curriculum but Dr Alice Roberts. The flame haired Alice - part Lara Croft part Toyah - is currently
A POLICEMAN jailed for attacking a man with his baton should be reinstated to the force if his name is cleared, a union has said. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, spoke after Appeal Court judges ruled that Jason
A TEENAGER collapsed in Darwen town centre after taking ecstasy and drinking too much. The 18-year-old was with three friends when he fell to the floor on the corner of Harwood Street and Baron Street. Coun Nigel Nuttall was driving to a recycling centre
YOU'VE probably all heard of Celebrity Big Brother but now a farmer has set up his own version - Celebrity Big Udder. By naming his cows after celebrities with similar character traits, Goosnargh farmer Graham Kirkham can easily identify all 87 animals
